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Ji Wenzi 季文子 Jisun Xingfu 季孫行父

Oct 21, 2012 © Ulrich Theobald

Jisun Xingfu 季孫行父 (died 568), posthumous title Ji Wenzi 季文子, was a high minister in the state of Lu 魯 during the Spring and Autumn period 春秋 (770-5th cent. BCE). He was the grandson of Ji You 季友, one of the sons of Duke Huan of Lu 魯桓公 (r. 712-694), and founder of the house of Jisun 季孫.

Between 600 and 568 he was the most influential minister of the dukes of Lu, as successor of Zhong Sui 仲遂. The three lateral family lines of the Mengsun 孟孙, Shusun 叔孫 and Jisun (the Three Huan families 三桓), all descendants of Duke Huan, became more and more powerful. Prince Gui Fu 歸父 therefore suggested Duke Xuan 魯宣公 (r. 609-591) to aske the state of Jin 晉 for support to get rid of the Three Huan. Yet when the duke died Zhong Sui expelled the family Dongmen 東門, to which Prince Guifu belonged, and enthroned Prince Heigong 黑肱 as ruler of Lu (Duke Cheng 魯成公, r. 591-573).

Duke Cheng's mother Mu Jiang 穆姜 had an affair with Shusun Qiao 叔孫僑 and planned to replace Duke Cheng with Prince Yan 偃. Ji Wenzi should be removed from office and his family, the Jisun line, be extinguished. Shusun Qiao asked the ruler of Jin for help in his plot, but the duke of Jin refused. Shusun therefore fled to Qi, while Ji Wenzi continued reigning as the highest minister for three dukes. He was famous for his austere conduct of life.

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